EPA clarifies its position on nanoscale pesticides
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has published a statement clarifying its competence to regulate products containing nanoscale materials, and its ongoing activities to do so. A new website, entitled ‘Pesticide issues in the works: nanotechnology, the science of small’, states that ‘FIFRA [Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act] and EPA’s implementing regulations provide an effective framework for regulating pesticide products that are a product of nanotechnology or that contain nanoscale materials. However, the special properties that make nanoscale materials of potentially great benefit also can present new challenges for risk assessment and decision-making. […] EPA is currently examining potential hazard, exposure, policy, regulatory, and international issues that may be associated with pesticides that are a product of nanotechnology or that contain nanoscale materials. […] EPA has met with several companies to discuss requirements for some specific nanoscale materials being considered for use as pesticides; however, no formal application has been submitted.’
The statement furthermore encourages companies seeking to register new products to work with the EPA as early as possible: ‘EPA strongly recommends that companies contact EPA’s pesticide registration Ombudsmen to arrange a pre-application conference as early as possible in the development of any pesticide that would be a product of nanotechnology or that would contain nanoscale material.’
This website statement clarifies rumors arising in November 2007, according to which, the US EPA’s OPP was seriously considering revising the pesticide registration application form to require particle size information for both active ingredients and any inerts.
Follow this link to find out more about the EPA’s statement on nanotechnology-enables pesticides.